Timeline - Classic Motown

Berry Gordy Receives $800 Loan

Berry Gordy Jr. launches Tamla Records with an $800 loan from the Gordy family savings fund, and releases Marv Johnson’s “Come To Me.”

Birth Of The Motortown Revue

The “Gordy Star Attractions Show” makes its debut, featuring the Miracles, Marv Johnson and Mable John, among others.

Home Of The Hits On West Grand Blvd.

Berry Gordy buys a two-story house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, and puts up a sign to signal his intentions: Hitsville U.S.A.

'Bad Girl' Makes Good With Chess

The Miracles’ “Bad Girl,” written by Berry Gordy and William “Smokey” Robinson, is released under license to Chess Records.

Money (That's What I Want)

First released on Tamla Records, Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want)” is a hit when nationally distributed by Anna Records.

Mary Wells' Debut Single

"Bye Bye Baby" is the debut Motown single by 17-year-old Mary Wells, who wrote the song herself.

Marvin Gaye signs to Motown

After singing with the Moonglows, Marvin Gaye moves to Detroit and, through group leader Harvey Fuqua’s contacts, joins Motown.

The Miracles' First National Hit

The Miracles’ first national hit, “Shop Around” is released, after Berry Gordy summons the Miracles to the studio at 3 a.m. to re-record the song.

The Supremes Sign To Motown

The Supremes sign to Motown, with their first 45 on the Tamla label, “I Want A Guy,” released in March.

Motown Sign Little Stevie Wonder

Berry Gordy signs Little Stevie Wonder after an impressive audition at Hitsville by the 11-year-old, playing several instruments.

The Temptations' Debut Single

“Oh Mother Of Mine,” the Temptations’ debut for Motown Records, is issued on the company’s Miracle label.

Motown's First No. 1

Motown ends the year with its first No. 1 on the pop charts: “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes.

First Holland/Dozier/ Holland Teamwork

Motown issues “Dearest One” by Lamont Dozier, his first song written with Eddie and Brian Holland.

First Top 20 Single For Gordy Label

The Gordy label gains its first Top 20 success with “Do You Love Me” by the Contours.

The Motortown Revue Begins

The first “Motortown Revue” package tour of more than two dozen cities begins in Washington, DC.

Marvin Gaye Enters The Charts

Marvin Gaye has his first Top 50 pop hit with “Stubborn Kind Of Fellow.”

Holland/Dozier/ Holland Chart Success

The Marvelettes’ “Locking Up My Heart” is released to become an early chart success for the Holland/Dozier/Holland team.

The Four Tops Sign To Motown

The Four Tops sign to Motown, and begin recording in Studio A at Hitsville.

The 12 Year Old Genius

Little Stevie Wonder’s The 12 Year Old Genius Recorded Live is Motown’s first No. 1 album, as “Fingertips – Pt. 2” tops the Hot 100.

Motown Signs U.K. License Deal

Motown kicks off its new U.K. license deal with EMI Records with the release of Martha & the Vandellas’ “Heat Wave”.

Motown launches Soul label

Motown launches its Soul label with Shorty Long’s “Devil With The Blue Dress” whilst Jimmy Ruffin and Jr. Walker & The All Stars join the roster.

My Guy Tops The Beatles

“My Guy” by Mary Wells becomes Motown’s fourth No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the company's first major U.K. hit.

The Supremes' Chart Success

The Supremes begin their run of five consecutive No. 1 hits with “Where Did Our Love Go”.

Smokey Pens My Girl

The Temptations get together with Smokey Robinson at Hitsville’s Studio A to record a new song, “My Girl.”

Tamla Motown U.K. Tour

The Tamla Motown label is launched in the U.K., while Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, the Miracles and the Supremes begin touring England, Scotland and Wales.

Motown's 10th No. 1

The Four Tops achieve Motown Records’ tenth No. 1 with “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch).”

The Supremes' debut at Copacabana

The Supremes make their triumphant debut at New York’s Copacabana nightclub.

Brenda opens for the Beatles

Brenda Holloway opens for the Beatles at the group’s historic concert at Shea Stadium, New York.

Temptin' Temptations hits the charts

Temptin’ Temptations is the first of the group’s two Top 20 albums this year; the second is Gettin’ Ready.

Marvin Gaye At The Copa

The latest Motown star to play New York’s Copacabana is Marvin Gaye.

The Four Tops Hit No.1

The Four Tops’ “Reach Out I’ll Be There” is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Temptations Enter the Top 10, Again

Motown takes its thirteenth Top 10 pop hit of the year with the Temptations’ “(I Know) I’m Losing You.”

Stevie's Back On Track

Motown releases Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made To Love Her” to become his biggest hit since “Fingertips – Pt. 2.”

Presenting Diana Ross & The Supremes

“Reflections” is the first release to feature new billing for Motown’s prime attraction: Diana Ross & the Supremes.

Motown's Chart Triumph

Motown takes ten of Billboard’s top 100 best-selling albums, including Diana Ross & the Supremes’ Greatest Hits at No. 1.

I Heard It Through The Grapevine

Gladys Knight & the Pips’ “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” is No. 1 on the R&B best-sellers and No. 2 on the pop charts.

First Motown No.1 Album in the U.K.

The Four Tops’ Greatest Hits takes the top slot in the U.K. from the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Motown HQ Moves

Motown Record Corp. officially opens its new Detroit headquarters in downtown’s Woodward Avenue, moved from West Grand Boulevard.

The Jackson 5 Audition, Dennis Edwards Joins The Temps

The Jackson 5 audition for Motown, and the Temptations gain a new lead singer.

Motown Take Half the Top 10

Motown takes half the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, including the Top 3 with Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross & the Supremes.

Marvin Sits On The Top Spot

America’s No. 1 single this entire month is “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye.

Motown's First Grammy®

Motown earns its first Grammy® award with the Temptations’ “Cloud Nine.”

The Jackson 5 Are Unveiled

Motown throws a launch party in Los Angeles for the Jackson 5, and unveils its new rock label, Rare Earth, in Detroit.

Diana To Leave The Supremes

Billboard reports Motown’s announcement that Diana Ross will leave the Supremes for a solo career, with Jean Terrell to join the “new” Supremes.

Diana's Final Farewell

Diana Ross & the Supremes play their final show together at the Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas.

The Jackson 5 Are On A Roll

With “I Want You Back,” the Jackson 5 score the first of four consecutive No. 1 hits this year.

Tamla Motown Invades the U.K. Charts

Tamla-Motown takes a quarter of the U.K. Top 20 with hits by Edwin Starr, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Diana Ross and Jimmy Ruffin.

Motown's Seventh No.1 Of The Year

Motown triumphs with its seventh No.1 of the year on the Billboard Hot 100 with Smokey Robinson & the Miracles’ “The Tears Of A Clown.”

Motown Wins Its 2nd Grammy®

Motown wins its second-ever Grammy® award, for Dr. Martin Luther King’s album, Why I Oppose The War In Vietnam.

What's Going On

One of Motown’s greatest music milestones, Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On album, is released.

MoWest Scores A Chart Hit

Motown's new L.A.-based label, MoWest, has its first chart entry with Tom Clay's "What The World Needs Now Is Love/Abraham, Martin and John".

The Jackson 5 Become TV Stars

Motown’s latest TV stars are the Jackson 5, front and center in their own special, Goin’ Back To Indiana, and a cartoon series, The Jackson 5ive.

The Commodores' Debut

The Commodores’ debut Motown single, “The Zoo (The Human Zoo),” is released on the MoWest label.

Marvin Performs What's Going On

Marvin Gaye performs What’s Going On in its entirety at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Stevie Opens for The Rolling Stones

Stevie Wonder kicks off a 50-date itinerary opening for the Rolling Stones, and the Jackson 5 begin a nationwide summer tour in New York.

Smokey's Final Performance With The Miracles

Smokey Robinson & the Miracles play their final concerts together in Washington, D.C.

The Temptations Take 3 Grammy® Awards

Motown’s 30th No. 1 hit, “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” by the Temptations, takes three Grammy® awards.

Diana's First Solo No.1 Album

Diana Ross scores her first solo No. 1 album with the soundtrack from Lady Sings The Blues, in which she plays the late jazz singer, Billie Holiday.

Stevie Wonder Releases Innervisions

Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions album is released, three days before the musician is involved in a traumatic auto accident in North Carolina.

Marvin's First No. 1 in 4 Years

“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye is his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

Stevie Wonder Wins 5 Grammys®

Stevie Wonder is honoured with five Grammy® awards, including Album of the Year for Innervisions, and two for “Superstition.”

'Diana Ross Month'

Motown declares this to be “Diana Ross Month,” with her new album, Live At Caesar’s Palace, at its centerpiece.

Jimmy Ruffin Returns To U.K. Top 10

Jimmy Ruffin’s 1966 smash, “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted,” is a U.K. Top 10 hit for the second time.

Fulfillingness' First Finale Hits No.1

Motown is No. 1 on the album charts once more, with Stevie Wonder’s Fulfillingness’ First Finale.

Stevie Cleans Up At The Grammys®

Stevie Wonder makes a second consecutive sweep of the Grammy® awards, this time with Fulfillingness’ First Finale.

A Quiet Storm

Smokey Robinson’s third solo album, A Quiet Storm, is released, later to inspire an entire music radio format.

The Commodores Enter The Top 20

“Slippery When Wet” becomes the Commodores’ first Top 20 success on the Billboard Hot 100 as the group’s popularity grows.

Mahogany Opens In New York

Diana Ross’ second feature film, Mahogany, directed by Berry Gordy, opens in New York.

Motown Embraces Disco

Disco rules. Among the winners are the Miracles ("Love Machine") and Diana Ross ("Love Hangover"), both with No. 1 hits.

The Supremes' Final Top 40 Hit

The Supremes enjoy their final Top 40 hit on the pop charts with “I’m Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking.”

Marvin Sells Out Royal Albert Hall

Marvin Gaye performs his first-ever concerts in the U.K., selling out London’s Royal Albert Hall and adding a show at the London Palladium.

Stevie's Songs In The Key Of Life Tops The Charts

Stevie Wonder’s Songs in The Key of Life begins a 14-week run at the top of the Billboard album charts.

Stevie's Fifth No.1

Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” becomes his fifth No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Motown’s 40th.

Thelma Houston Sets A Motown First

“Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Thelma Houston is the first Motown single to reach No. 1 on the pop, R&B and dance charts.

Marvin's Live At The London Palladium Climbs The Charts

Marvin’s Live At The London Palladium climbs into the Top 3 of the album charts as “Got To Give It Up” heads for No. 1.

The Supremes Perform Their Last Concert

The Supremes – Mary Wilson, Susaye Greene, Scherrie Payne – perform their last concert together, at London’s Theatre Royal.

Rick James' Breakthrough

Rick James’ first Motown album, Come Get It, is released, featuring his breakthrough hit, “You And I.”

The Commodores' First No.1

“Three Times A Lady,” written by Lionel Richie, is the first No. 1 on the pop charts for the Commodores.

Motown Premieres The Wiz

Motown Productions premieres its newest movie, The Wiz, starring Diana Ross and co-starring Michael Jackson and Richard Pryor.

Marvin Releases Here, My Dear

Here, My Dear, Marvin Gaye’s emotional farewell to his first wife, Anna, is released.

Pops We Love You

Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson hit the charts with their four-way tribute to Berry Gordy’s late father, “Pops We Love You.”

Rick James Lends A Hand

Teena Marie is Motown’s newest hitmaker as “I’m Just A Sucker For Your Love,” written and produced by Rick James, debuts on the R&B charts.

Bonnie Pointer Brings Back A Classic

A Motown hit from the 1960s returns to the limelight as Bonnie Pointer’s update of “Heaven Must Have Sent You” reaches the Top 20.

Stevie Performs His First Movie Soundtrack

Stevie Wonder performs music from his first movie soundtrack, Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants, at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House.

Motown's Newest Success: Billy Preston & Syreeta

Motown’s newest international success is “With You I’m Born Again” by Billy Preston & Syreeta, a Top 3 hit in the UK.

The Temptations Are Chartbound Once More

Re-signed to Motown, the Temptations are chartbound once more with “Power,” co-written and co-produced by Berry Gordy.

Jermaine Jackson Gets Serious

Jermaine Jackson has a new Top 10 hit with “Let’s Get Serious,” written and produced by Stevie Wonder.

A Tribute To Bob Marley

A tribute to reggae godfather Bob Marley, “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” becomes Stevie Wonder’s 22nd Top 10 smash.

Marvin Releases His Final Album For Motown

Marvin Gaye’s final album for Motown, In Our Lifetime, is released.

Motown Celebrates Smokey's Success

Motown kicks off a year-long celebration of Smokey Robinson’s 25th anniversary in showbiz, following his biggest-ever solo hit, “Being With You.”

Rick James Storms The Charts

Street Songs by Rick James hits the Top 5 of the album charts, going on to sell more than three million copies.

Diana & Lionel Love, Endlessly

Diana Ross & Lionel Richie’s “Endless Love” begins its nine-week run at No. 1 to become one of Motown’s all-time top-selling singles.

Stevie Prepares His Original Musiquarium I

Motown announces that Stevie Wonder has re-signed with the company, and prepares the release of his Original Musiquarium I set.

Gordy Co-Produces A Hit For Charlene

Charlene’s “I’ve Never Been To Me,” co-produced by Berry Gordy, is a Top 3 success, almost five years after its first release.

The New Hitmakers: The Dazz Band

The Dazz Band are Motown’s newest hitmakers as “Let It Whip” becomes a Top 5 smash on the pop charts.

Lionel Pens His First Solo Hit

The first single from Lionel Richie’s latest album, “Truly” is his first No. 1 as a solo singer/songwriter.

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever

An NBC-TV special, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, celebrates the artists and music of the company’s extraordinary quarter-century.

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